10 fantastic sites in Worcestershire to visit for English Tourism Week

You may have lived in Worcestershire for many years or even your whole life, but have you experienced all the incredible things our county has to offer?

English Tourism Week runs from 15-24 March, and it is often said that tourists see a side of town that locals overlook. So, what better occasion to visit some of the places in Worcestershire you have always wanted to, or to take the family out for an exciting day of culture that can be fun and educational for all?

With everything from an exotic animal safari park and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) to battle reenactments and old Tudor houses, there is something for everyone in Worcestershire.

Read on to find out about 10 fantastic sites in Worcestershire to visit during English Tourism Week.

1. Visit the lions, tigers, bears, and more at the West Midland Safari Park

Get up close to exotic animals from the safety of your car and pet some of the more friendly creatures at the West Midland Safari Park.

The park holds over 165 species of exotic animals and contains the largest groups of white lions, cheetahs, hippopotamuses, and meerkats in the UK.

It was also the first safari park in the UK to have all the big five African game animals – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceroses.

2. Go to an exhibition at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum

The Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum lies in the heart of the city and hosts regular family activities and cultural events.

Housed in an elegant Victorian building, the museum holds works by Impressionists including Stanhope Forbes and Dame Laura Knight. There are also landscapes from Worcester’s own Benjamin Williams on permanent display, as well as visiting exhibitions that change every season.

3. Stroll through the largest woodland in England on a trip to Wyre Forest

Wyre Forest is the largest woodland National Nature Reserve in England. Nestled between Worcester and Birmingham, the forest has an arboretum, café, Go Ape adventure course, and even a dog-washing service.

Whether you want to explore on foot, bike, or horseback, the Wyre Forest has plenty of trails to follow, and there is also a special off-road mobility scooter available for hire.

Anyone looking for a bit of peace and quiet in nature can enjoy the more remote spots in the heart of the forest.

4. Take a tour of Worcester Cathedral

Founded in AD680, Worcester Cathedral is a Grade I-listed building that has a few stories to tell.

From once being a library to later being used as an armoury by the Royalists during the English Civil War, the Cathedral is a landmark building in the city centre.

You may have walked past it every day without knowing the full extent of its rich history, so why not drop in during English Tourism Week?

You can visit the Cathedral on your own, attend a service, or have a guided tour.

5. Step back in time in the Tudor House Museum

The building of the Tudor House Museum was constructed around 1520, although some of the foundation stones in the cellar date from the early medieval period.

Since its construction, the Tudor House has been a weaving workshop, carpenter’s warehouse, bakery, chip shop, and now a museum.

With actors in Tudor-style attire providing interactive experiences, the Tudor House offers a unique and exciting opportunity to take a 500-year step back in time and find out what life in Worcester was once like.

6. Go hiking in the Malvern Hills

Spread across the border of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and northern Gloucestershire, the Malvern Hills AONB is the largest area of open common land in the West Midlands.

With numerous trails sprawling across the area, you could spend weeks exploring the Malvern Hills and still not cover it all.

The highest summit in the Hills has a stunning panoramic view of the Severn Valley, the hills of Herefordshire, and the Welsh mountains.

7. Ride a steam train on the Severn Valley Railway

The Severn Valley Railway was built between 1858 and 1862 and stretches over 40 miles.

Since its construction, the railway has featured in several films and TV shows including Sherlock Holmes and The Chronicles of Narnia, thanks to its authentic design and beautiful surrounding landscape.

You can visit the railway museum, take a ride on a traditional steam train, or even take a special trip on one of the Footplate Experience Packages and try your hand at driving one of the trains yourself.

8. Feed the ducks and paddle in the pool at Gheluvelt Park

Gheluvelt Park in Worcester was built in 1922 to commemorate the Worcestershire Regiment’s 2nd Battalion after their part in the Battle of Gheluvelt during the first world war.

The park is located along the A449 and stretches across to the River Severn.

The Barbourne Brook, which leads to the Severn, feeds a duck pond in the park with a bandstand situated in the middle. There is also a supervised paddling pool and children’s play area.

9. Take a look at the world’s largest collection of Worcester porcelain at the Museum of Royal Worcester

The Museum of Royal Worcester is a ceramics museum located in the Royal Worcester porcelain factory’s former site.

The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Royal Worcester porcelain, which is considered either the oldest or the second-oldest remaining English porcelain brand.

The collections date back to 1751 and the archives held in the museum form the primary resource for the study of Worcester porcelain and its history.

10. Witness a battle re-enactment of the English Civil War

The Battle of Worcester was one of the final battles of the English Civil War and proved to be a definitive event in securing victory for Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians.

With around 3,200 fatalities and many more casualties, it is one of the bloodiest battles to have ever taken place on English soil.

The Battle of Worcester Society runs several reenactment events every year, offering you the chance to learn about the city’s history while immersed in one of the most dramatic events Worcester has ever seen.